Kolkata, 8th March, 2024: On the momentous occasion of International Women’s Day, the Move for Earth Symposium organized by SwitchON Foundation, in collaboration with The Consulate General of Federal Republic of Germany Kolkata and American Center unfolded setting the stage for an extraordinary exploration of the intersection between women’s empowerment and the imperative climate action. 

This event brought together diverse stakeholders, including government, industry leaders, students, youth, academia, NGOs, farmers, rural women entrepreneurs, FPOs, SHGs, youth startups and paved the way for an inclusive and impactful dialogue. With a series of roundtables, workshops, and panel discussions, the event served as a melting pot of ideas, fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders to catalyze actionable solutions. Around 500 citizens from across West Bengal joined the Symposium.

Mr. Vinay Jaju, Managing Director, SwitchON Foundation stated, “Through the Move for Earth Symposium, we want to foster sustainability within communities by engaging diverse stakeholders, including govt, industries, NGOs, students, academia, farmers, SHGs and green entrepreneurs  to engage in insightful discussions on inspiring Climate Action. The Symposium focuses on some of the very crucial issues of the environment like renewable energy, water conservation, sustainable Agriculture, Circular economy and Clean Air which must be tended for a sustainable West Bengal.”

The symposium amplified the discourse on how women, across various sectors, are pivotal in steering the course toward a sustainable and resilient future. The inaugural session was addressed by Ms Christina Scott, CMG –Deputy High Commissioner to India, British High Commission, New Delhi along with other distinguished guests like Dr Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner, East and Northeast India and Ms Paromita Chowdhury, Programme Officer, Oak Foundation. The valedictory session was addressed by Ms. Elizabeth Lee, Director, American Center and Ms. Ekta Jaju, Co-Founder SwitchON Foundation.

Ms Christina Scott, CMG –Deputy High Commissioner to India, British High Commission, New Delhi said, “Climate change is real and the impact is undeniable. From erratic weather patterns to rising temperatures, it affects every community. As governments strive for net-zero emissions by 2070, we must act urgently. Let’s protect our planet, safeguard our communities, and embrace sustainable alternatives beyond fossil fuels.”

Dr Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner, East and Northeast India said, “The youth are pivotal agents of change against climate change. Projects like the Sundarbans initiative exemplify the power of youth-led environmental action. As they actively contribute to such endeavors, the youth become catalysts for positive change, fostering an environmental stewardship. They are not just the leaders of tomorrow but the architects of a sustainable future.”

As part of the symposium, a pivotal roundtable on decarbonising industries and corporate sustainability was conducted bringing together leaders and experts from various industries of West Bengal with special focus on cement, steel, and power (coal mining). The industry experts shared their perspectives, experiences, and solutions on how to implement effective decarbonisation strategies, leverage cross-cutting technologies such as green hydrogen and carbon capture, and align business goals with environmental and social objectives. Another significant roundtable on Promoting Renewable Energy & Green Technologies and Practices for Enhance Farmers Income was conducted to facilitate the adoption and scaling up of green technologies and practices among farmers. The roundtable brought together multi stakeholders like experts, NGOs, academia, govt to brainstorm and propose actionable solutions to overcome challenges, fostering a proactive approach to green technology integration.

Mr. S Suresh Kumar, IAS, Chairman, Damodar Valley Corporation said, “This Symposium is an extremely purposeful and essential initiative for the collective future of the planet and specially for West Bengal as it’s highly vulnerable to climate crisis. I congratulate the SwithON Foundation for organizing this event including diverse participants to share knowledge and insights.”

Ms. Elizabeth Lee, Director, American Center said, “Empowering women and youth to mitigate the impacts of climate change is vital if we are to achieve the global sustainability goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement.  By ensuring women’s access to employment, training and leadership roles, we can advance economic empowerment while fostering resilience to environmental challenges.  Inclusivity is key to ensuring that diverse perspectives and voices are heard in the decision-making process to design and implement climate adaptation and mitigation policies and programs.  We must recognize the diverse contributions of women and young people to addressing climate change.  Together, with a collective and inclusive approach, we can harness the full spectrum of talent and creativity to forge a sustainable future as the U.S. and India move forward together.”

The symposium  hosted a dynamic array of parallel workshops, each delving into diverse sustainable themes. Participants were immersed in a kaleidoscope of interactive sessions led by experts, fostering creativity and actionable solutions. The “Sustainable Tales” and Storytelling Competition workshop not only captivated audiences but also underscored the influential role storytelling plays in driving environmental consciousness. Simultaneously, the “Crafting Sustainability through Upcycling” workshop demonstrated how creative repurposing can breathe new life into discarded materials.

In the “Design Thinking Workshop – Effective Management of Plastic Waste,” experts offered strategic insights into addressing the global plastic waste crisis. The “Oven Free Sustainable Food Cooking” workshop tantalized taste buds while promoting sustainable culinary practices. Simultaneously, the “Organic Input Preparation” workshop delved into eco-friendly farming practices, educating participants on sustainable agriculture. “Sustainable Fashion for a Better Future” and “Social Media for Change” workshops explored the intersections of style, communication, and sustainability. Participants gained insights into leveraging fashion and online platforms as potent tools for environmental advocacy.The symposium further ventured into economic sustainability with the “Enhancing Entrepreneurship Opportunities through Millet-based Value-Added Products” workshop. Industry experts shared strategies to harness the potential of millets for economic growth and environmental sustainability.

In a dynamic effort to catalyze sustainable entrepreneurship, the symposium hosted an inspiring Green Pitchathon, providing a platform for innovative ideas that have the potential to shape the landscape of green startups. The early-age startups and youth presented green pitches/ideas/business models on sustainable themes. The pitches showcased ideas spanning renewable energy, eco-friendly products, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy initiatives.

The valedictory session highlighted key insights from the symposium and acknowledged outstanding contributions with awards and recognitions to the champions of clean air and sustainability including schools, students, NGOs, green pitch winners, farmers, SHGs and others. SwitchON also released its “SHE the Change : 15 years 15 stories” which spotlights the incredible stories of inspiring women whose contributions have shaped the Foundation’s mission and brought about positive change in the realm of sustainability. 

Move For Earth Symposium is an annual event hosted by SwitchON Foundation that serves as a pivotal platform, uniting leaders, government officials, non-profits, investors, academia, and grassroots communities to engage in insightful discussions on Inspiring Climate Action. The purpose is to Foster collaboration to inspire climate action and strategies towards achieving a net-zero economy.

Media Dossier

Online Articles: The Statesman | The Indian Express | The Hindu

For more information please contact Gargi Maitra (8336919233)